1. Driver Education Aggressive Driving Unit
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

2. Aggressive Driving Statistics
One-third of all crashes: related to aggressive driving behaviors - NHTSA
Aggressive driving: plays a part in two- thirds of all traffic fatalities - USDOT
Aggressive Driving: One of the top three driving highway safety concerns along with DUI & non-use of seat belts – USDOT
Aggressive Driving is more of a threat than DUI AAA Survey
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

3. Aggressive Driving Statistics
Illinois State Police reported aggressive & reckless driving as the single largest call for service in Chicago.
Aggressive Driving & Illinois Law
- Aggressive driving actions are charged under Illinois’ reckless driving statutes.
- Fines and penalties may be levied up to $1500 require traffic school, and/or attend victim impact panel discussions.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

4. 12 Illinois Aggressive Driving Violations
In Illinois, aggressive driving is defined as committing any two or more of the following violations in a single act or series of acts.
Improper Lane Usage
Improper Passing On the Right
Improper Shoulder Driving
Following Too Closely
Disobeying Police Officer
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

5. 12 Illinois Aggressive Driving Violations
Disobeying Traffic Control Device Or Sign
Drag Racing
Speeding - In School & Construction Zones
Improper U-Turn
Failure To Signal
Failure To Yield
Disobeying Railroad Crossing Signal
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

6. Legislative Penalties For The Aggressive Driver
Penalties May Include Any Or All Of The Following
Fines
Prison Time
Required Aggressive Driving Education
Suspension of License
Revocation of License
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

7. What is Aggressive Driving?
Driving which creates undue risk or endangers the safety of another person or vehicle.
Involves the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner which endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property – NHTSA
Aggressive driving may range from personal risk-taking behavior to hostile actions towards other motorists.
NHTSA characterizes aggressive driving as a traffic offense.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

8. Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE
What is Road Rage?
Driving which creates undue risk or endangers the safety of another person or vehicle.
Road rage refers to a display of aggression by an angry or impatient motorist who attempts to injure or kill another driver over a traffic dispute
NHTSA characterizes road rage as a criminal offense vs. aggressive driving which is viewed as a traffic offense.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

9. Symptoms of Aggressive Driving
Thoughts of violence against other users
Always driving in a hurry
Constantly criticizing other drivers
Not observing laws you do not agree with
Believing that your driving is not part of the problem
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

10. Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving
Category 1: Impatience and Inattentiveness
Driving through red lights.
Driving through yellow lights.
Rolling stops.
Cutting corners or rolling over double center lines.
Blocking intersections.
Failure to yield.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

11. Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving
Category 1: Impatience and Inattentiveness
Improper lane change or weaving.
Driving 5 to 15 miles per hour over the limit.
Following too closely.
Not signaling when required.
Erratically slowing or speeding up.
Taking too long/ inefficient driving.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

12. Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving
Category 2: Power Struggle
Closing the gap to prevent entry.
Threatening or insulting by yelling, gesturing, or honking repeatedly.
Tailgating to punish or coerce.
Cutting off to retaliate.
Braking suddenly to retaliate.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

13. Emotional Impairments Associated With Aggressive Driving
Category 3: Recklessness & Road Rage
Chasing in a duel.
Driving drunk.
Pointing a gun or shooting.
Assaulting with the car or battering object.
Driving at very high speeds.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

14. Aggressive Driving Profiles
Steering Clear Of Highway Madness - Dr. John Larson Identifies 5 categories of aggressive drivers.
Speeders – Getting to a destination as fast as possible.
Passive Aggressors – View driving events as win/lose situations.
Narcissists – Angered by drivers who do not drive the way they want them to.
Vigilantes – Believing it is their right or duty to teach a lesson.
Competitors – Always wanting to win & be first.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

15. Aggressive Driving Trigger Events
Dr. Arnold Nerenberg - Characterizes four major traffic situations that trigger aggressive driving.
Feeling Endangered
Being Detained (When Others Drive Too slowly)
Watching Others Disregard Rules of the Road
Feeling the Need To Retaliate
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

16. Aggressive Driving Personality – Emotions - Attitudes
Aggressive Predisposition: High Anger Drivers Drive more aggressively.
Perception Of Other Drivers Actions: Beliefs Regarding Other Driver’s Motives.
Mood Effects - AAA Study: Identified Unsafe Driver’s More Affected By Mood.
Restrained Behavior: Drivers Are Less Restrained Regarding Behavior Because They Feel They Will Not See Other Drivers Again.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

17. Aggressive Driving Personality – Emotions - Attitudes
Territorial Nature: People See Their Vehicle As Part Of Their Personal Space.
Learned Behavior: Children Grow Up Watching Their Parents Drive Aggressively Along with Media Reinforcement.
Acceptance: Societal Acceptance Of Aggressive Driving Increasing.
Power & Control: An Addictive Sense of Power & Control Are Attributed To Aggressive Driving
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

18. Aggressive Driving Solutions
Before You Drive
Create a relaxing environment with music.
Remind yourself that you can’t change other drivers, but you can change your response to them.
Practice self conscious driving: Think positively regardless of the bad driving around you.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

19. Aggressive Driving Solutions
While You Drive
Adopt the values of cooperation, tolerance and rationality.
Monitor your thoughts.
Recognize that everyone makes mistakes.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

20. Aggressive Driving Solutions
While You Drive
When you do get angry create a distraction
- Count to Turn on the radio.
Calm yourself by talking through the situation.
Breathe deeply, use breathing techniques to relax and regain control.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

21. Am I An Aggressive Driver?
Tape record yourself while driving
Listen to the comments later & note how you are really acting or thinking while driving.
Ask others to comment on your driving
Websites with road rage quizzes:
aloha.net/-dyc/surveys/#Tests nhtsa.dot.gov/people/outreach/employer/nets98/pdf_2/Agdriv.pdf
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

22. Aggressive Driving 2002 - ISBOE
Summary - Be Wise
Avoid all conflict if possible. If challenged: take a deep breath get out of the way (Even if you are right.)
Instead try to be more forgiving and tolerant.
Recognize the absurdity of traffic disputes.
Focus on what’s really important in life.
Save your energy and your life-for something
really important.
Aggressive Driving ISBOE

23. Summary Emotional Challenges
Driving is emotionally challenging because unexpected events happen constantly.
Drivers must learn to challenge the thoughts that provoke anger before it leads to aggressive & unmanageable driving.
This may necessitate drivers undergoing a driving personality makeover!
Aggressive Driving ISBOE